Shirin McArthur

Dear friends,

Today’s readings are about being open to the unexpected.

Samuel has seen a lot of unexpected changes in his long life. He lived through (and was instrumental in orchestrating) a radical transition in the way Israel was governed: from judges to kings. He heard God grieve over the people wanting a king instead of relying on God. He grieved as Saul flailed and failed as king. Now he is asked by God to do yet another unexpected thing: anoint a new king in secret.

Peter has also experienced a lot of unexpected changes, moving from humble fisherman to Jesus follower to leader of an upstart religion. It’s that upstart religion part that’s causing Peter problems in today’s reading. He’s been a scrupulous follower of Jewish dietary laws, and God is revealing something very unexpected: As a follower of Jesus, he learns he’s no longer bound by those dietary restrictions. He also is no longer bound to associate only with other Jews. God will make that clear when Cornelius’ envoys show up and invite Peter to visit Cornelius in his home.

The unnamed disciples who travel to Emmaus after Jesus’ death are also wrestling with the unexpected. Just one short week after his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus is dead and these disciples are at a loss. We don’t know why they were traveling to Emmaus. Perhaps one of them had family there and they were looking for solace and comfort. Perhaps they had the unfortunate task of sharing the news of Jesus’ death with other disciples who lived there. Regardless, they are on the road, expecting nothing more than further heartbreak. Yet Jesus breaks in, on the road in conversation, and in the meal with consecration, revealing the unexpected and refilling these disciples’ hearts with faith and hope.

Where in your faith life has God broken in with the unexpected? How open were you, at the time, and as the situation unfolded? How do you view that experience now?

Shirin McArthur
More of my reflections can be found on my blog.